I’m always in search of ways to reduce the amount of trash we have. Whether we decrease the disposable products we use or find ways to reuse, repurpose or recycle items. The milk we buy to make our homemade yogurt only comes in 1/2 gallon waxed paper cartons. We can’t recycle them and every time I threw one out this last year I kept thinking that there just had to be a way to reuse or repurpose them.
I saw a tutorial a few months ago on how to upcycle a plastic gallon milk jug into a reusable storage or snack container. I figured if you could do this with a plastic jug, why not do this with a waxed paper carton? One snowy afternoon last month Little A and I gave it a try and I was amazed at well it turned out. It actually reminds me of a Chinese food take-out container only a little more durable. This upcyled milk carton storage box is perfect to organize toys, craft supplies and even some snacks!
Upcycled Milk Carton Storage Box Tutorial:
The materials you need for this project are pretty simple:
- A half gallon waxed paper milk carton
- scissors
- marker
- snap or velcro
Step 1: Open out the top of the carton.
Step 2: Cut off the top of the carton. Follow the seam around the carton that runs just under the pour spout.
Step 3: Draw a curved line from corner to corner. End the curves about two inches down on each corner. Do this on all four sides.
Step 4: Cut on the curved lines you drew on all four sides. Once the curves are cut, make a two inch cut straight down on each corner.
Step 5: Fold each flap in towards the center of the carton.
Step 6: Install a snap or velcro on the flaps so there is a secure way to fasten the box closed. I used some of these fun bright yellow snaps that I got free in my last KAM snaps order.
Now you have a fun little reusable storage box to use simply buy upcycling a milk carton!
This post shared on: Natural Living Monday, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, From the Farm Blog Hop, Simply Natural Saturdays, Homestead Barn Hop, Weekly Kids Co-op,
This is a cute idea. Good for kids!
It is such a fun project for kids! We figure even if the boxes get beat up and worn out with our toddler playing with them so much, at least we got a lot more use from them before they got thrown out
What a cute idea! My girls would love making these with our almond milk containers.
That’s a great idea to use other types of milk containers!
This would be a fun way to do favors at a children’s birthday party, or package a seed starting gift.
I love those ideas Barb, thank you for sharing that!
I should really make one of these with my daughter. She is loving the idea of recycling milk containers lately, and goodness knows she has a million collections in her room that need to be contained. 😉
Great idea. I used to put two cartons together to make building blocks for the kids to play with. sometimes we covered them with contact paper.
So cool! I recycle as much as I can but am always looking at things we throw away and wondering how they can be repurposed instead. We get our milk in glass bottles, but occasionally drink almond milk, I will definitely keep this in mind for the future! (Bookmarking!!)
What a cool idea. I buy OJ in cartons just to get the pourable spout (like the carton you used). I cut them to replace the canning jar lid on my dry goods and get an awesome pourable canning jar. Now, I can use the rest of the carton too!
I think wrapping the box would be great for giving holiday cookies. Do you think they can scrub up clean enough?